National Wheelchair Passport Scheme BS Published July 2013 Introduction Due to its success the Wheelchair Passport Scheme has been Published as a Full British Standard, it was originally launched as a Code of Practice in 2010 for pan UK application. Puwertec Ltd lead the field in the implementation of wheelchair passport schemes having been involved in the design, development and its transition to a full British Standard. The Puwertec Passport Scheme is BS 8603 Compliant. Passport Scheme Objectives The purpose of the scheme is to provide information, to transport staff in an easy to use format, the information contained is essential for the safe transportation of wheelchair users. Its Aim is to control risks in wheelchair seated transport by providing key information at the point of travel. The National Scheme will have Pan-UK application and will introduce consistency and increase safety and mobility to both users and staff.

BSI PAS 900, Code of Practice for the Wheelchair Passport Scheme What is the BSI PAS 900? A ‘Publicly Available Specification and form of British Standard, a PAS is the first step in the creation of a British Standard. How did BSI PAS 900 come to be? Suggested by wheelchair users and carers. Financed by Lincolnshire and Essex County Councils. Technical Authorship by Unwin Safety Systems. Who contributed to the Drafting of BSI PAS 900? Department for Transport, Community Trans. Association, Transport for London, British Healthcare Trades Association, British Red Cross, Chartered Soc. of Physiotherapy, Kings College Hospital and Empower Who implements a Passport Scheme? The transport commissioner is responsible for the implementation of the scheme working in conjunction with the transport operator. If you already have a Wheelchair Passport Scheme, is it BSI Compliant ? If you don’t have the Scheme in place why not ?

Passport Scheme Development The format for the passport and the information contained has been developed with the consultation and involvement of transport staff. All documentation, from the start to finish of the project is complete, proven and tested. The wheelchair passport is a small pouch containing necessary information essential for the transportation of the wheelchair user, it is attached to the wheelchair and will act as verification that a wheelchair meets current legal requirements to travel on vehicles. An assessment is carried out on an individual basis, the passport will: Verify that the wheelchair is suitable to be secured in a vehicle with a seated passenger. Contain individual photographs showing the appropriate method of securing the wheelchair and passenger within the vehicle. Images do not include any facial photographs. Sophisticated Software has been developed which simplifies the Process, provides an audit trail and maintains individual records.

Passport Scheme Development The PAS 900 provides a target for the industry to improve and develop collective responsibilities, once established the PAS 900 will ‘underpin’ Best Practice. Careful examination of current practices can reveal familiar weakness or inadequacies in terms of safety of wheelchair users in transport. Wheelchair user rising, with an increasingly aging population, desire for social inclusion and ‘Home to School’ transport – all drive the need for the scheme. Professional approach leads to efficiency in times of austerity From RAGB casualty costs are as follows: £1,144,890 per fatality, £128,650 per serious injury, and £9,920 per slight injury. Can you afford not to have a passport scheme ? Should finance be the key factor when determining Risk over Cost ?

Overall Benefits Service Management A responsibility exists to implement systems that have been designed to enhance safety with in an organisation. A simple means to monitor the safe transport of all wheelchair dependant service users, and manage staff who may place service users at risk. Transport Staff There are thousands of wheelchairs on the market, most of these wheelchairs are suitable for use in transport with a seated occupant. The Passport specifies the correct application of both wheelchair securement and passenger restraint as determined in the Assessment process. Wheelchair Users Supply information about how to secure a wheelchair model and supply details for the restraint of a particular passenger. Overall means of ‘Risk Reduction’ at the point of transport.

Lets Avoid This These are genuine examples of poor equipment application ! Sample 1

And this…… These are genuine examples of poor equipment application ! Sample 1

Definitely this… These are genuine examples of poor equipment application ! Sample 2

Certainly that !! These are genuine examples of poor equipment application ! Sample 2

With luck this as well ! These are genuine examples of poor equipment application ! Sample 3

And finally this… These are genuine examples of poor equipment application ! Sample 3

Passport Software Database stores all Assessment Information.

Passport Software Individual Assessment Information, easily updated with an audit trail included.

Sample Feedback from some of those that have implemented the Scheme When asked their views on the value of PAS 900 as a risk control measure. Staffordshire Council “Not sure how we coped without it – always felt vulnerable before implementing the scheme” Northumberland Council “It captures so much information regarding the conveyance of wheelchair users and clearly highlights the risks that need to be considered and assessed” Cardiff Council “Extremely useful. Invaluable” Cornwall Council “It is an important part of an overall risk assessment” Transport for London Dial a Ride “Highly. The Passport provides the First line of information supplied to the driver and passenger assistants”

Sample Feedback from some of those that have implemented the Scheme When asked their views on the benefit brought to transport operations? Staffordshire Council “Has offered Staffordshire ITU considerable ‘protection’ in it’s day to day Operations” Northumberland Council “We feel much more confident in organising transport for wheelchair users as a result of the introduction of the passport scheme” Cardiff Council “Investment in the introduction of the Passport Scheme will eventually allow cost savings to be made, on an ‘Invest to Save’ basis” Cornwall Council “Clarification of roles and responsibilities within the entire process of delivering transport for wheelchair passengers” Transport for London Dial a Ride “The correct type of tie-down to be used with each model, especially with ‘odd-ball’ Models and heavy wheelchairs”

Casualty Costs (Average) Road Accidents Great Britain 2000Casualty Statistics 2002 Slight Injury£9,920Slight Injury£16,750 Serious Injury£128,650Serious Injury£168,260 Fatality£1,144,890Fatality£1,447,490 Can you afford not to implement the scheme ? What will be key to implementation, Legislation, Accident or Fatality Whilst other authorities implement the scheme how would you justify to a parent why you didn’t implement the scheme ! In terms of Corporate Manslaughter are you responsible ?

News Release (27 June 2012) SCOTTISH AMBULANCE SERVICE BOARD FINED AFTER DEATH OF MAY JEAN MORRIS At Paisley Sheriff Court today, the Scottish Ambulance Service Board (SASB) was fined £55,000 (reduced from £80,000 on account of the plea) after pleading guilty to a breach of Sections 3(1) and 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which led to the death of Mrs May Jean Morris, 78. The SASB pleaded guilty to failing to make a suitable and sufficient assessment for the period between June 2007 and December 2008 of the risk to the health and safety of members of the public who were in wheelchairs while being transported in their vehicles. By failing to provide a wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint system, they also failed to ensure that Mrs Morris was adequately secured in the Passenger Transport Vehicle. Further, they failed to provide such information, instruction and supervision as was necessary to ensure that the vehicle was only deployed for transportation of wheelchair users for which the necessary wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint systems (WTORs) equipment for their safety was provided. On 10 December 2008, Mrs. Morris was travelling as a passenger within the Passenger Transport Vehicle. Although her wheelchair was secured by webbing straps to the floor of the vehicle, Mrs Morris was only secured by means of a nylon lap belt which was part of her wheelchair. This was contrary to SASB protocol for the transport of a person while in his or her own wheelchair. The vehicle was involved in a low speed collision while waiting in a line of traffic in Renfrew Road, Paisley. As a result of being inadequately secured, Mrs Morris was thrown from her wheelchair and sustained injuries from which she died 3 days later.

News Release (Cont) The investigation established that SAS managers knew of the failure to provide and deploy WTORS. The specification of equipment on the vehicle was below what was required to safely complete the scheduled days work. Following the case, Elaine Taylor, Head of the COPFS Health and Safety Division, said: “The Scottish Ambulance Service Board has today pleaded guilty to a significant breach of their duty not to expose to risk to their health and safety patients in wheelchairs requiring transport for medical care and hospital appointments in their vehicles. “Those in wheelchairs were vulnerable persons who relied on the Scottish Ambulance Service Board to transport them safely, and yet for almost 18 months there was no safe system to ensure that they were adequately secured in those wheelchairs while in the vehicles. “A suitable and sufficient risk assessment should have identified this issue and enabled the SASB to take steps to put such a system in place. There were also deficiencies in the provision of information and instruction to staff, and a lack of supervision in relation to inspection and equipment issues. “The death of Mrs Morris was entirely avoidable and our thoughts today are with her family.” HSE Inspector Graeme Waller said: "Mrs May Jean Morris died unnecessarily as a result of the Scottish Ambulance Service failing to assess the risks associated with the transport of patients in wheelchairs. "This prosecution will draw attention to the importance of assessing and ensuring the health and safety of vulnerable people during transit as well as ensuring that vehicles used for patient transport are properly equipped and staff trained in the use of this equipment.“ End

HSE Health and Safety Executive Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE's related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action. The Fee for Intervention hourly rate for 2012/13 is £ Geoffrey Podger, HSE's Chief Executive, said: "The most basic safety mistakes in the workplace can devastate lives and result in real costs to industry. It is right that those who fail to meet their legal obligations should pay HSE's costs rather than the public purse having to do so.“

Conclusion Poorly maintained and or incorrectly applied restraints will fail ! Additional Puwertec Services Staff Training – Application of Wheelchair and Passenger Restraint Equipment. Equipment Maintenance – Inspection, Testing and Certification of above Medical Device Equipment. Operational Review – Contracted by TAS, to assess the safety systems and standards in place for transportation. Wheelchair Passport Scheme – Management, Implementation and Training. All services are provided on a National Basis The Puwertec Wheelchair passport Scheme, has been successfully implemented and installed into a number of local authorities across the UK, with a great deal of interest from many more. For further information please contact Puwertec Ltd Phone, , Website,